Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

B el woke slowly, his morning erection pressed against warm skin and his arm around Lio's waist. He smiled, nuzzling Lio's neck. He'd wasted too much time worrying about bonding to relax and let nature take its course. The forming bond pulsed inside him like a living thing, telling him that Lio still slept.

He rose and dressed quietly, started a pot of coffee for when Lio woke and placed a kiss on Lio's brow before slipping out the door to shower and dress in his own room. Lio liked time alone to process after events. Bel would give him that time while also saying I'm thinking of you by starting the coffee.

There would be no morning after awkwardness. He tested the forming bond by sending caring thoughts, only to receive warmth and affection in return.

He emerged later to find Lio in the hallway, showered, shaved, and dressed for work. They both broke into grins as they took the stairs to the office level.

Lio stopped Bel with a hand on his arm before they stepped out of the stairwell. "I don't know how I'm going to get anything done today. All I'll think about is you."

Bel let his kiss be his answer. "I can't wait to see you this evening."

"Dinner?"

"Wouldn't miss it." They went their separate ways, but a piece of Bel went with Lio.

Bel shadowed Farren while his mind stayed on the night before. He hadn't seen Lio since they parted. He was somewhere else recording every detail he recalled of his time in Domus.

Lio, Lio, Lio. Whenever not actively engaged elsewhere, Bel's mind stayed on Lio. In particular, his reaction to the movie. Cake. He wanted someone to bake him a cake, though he hadn't specified what kind. And Bel would make it his personal mission to master lasagna.

After what seemed an eternity, the workday ended. Bel rushed to his room. Grocery bags sat on the counter—the things he'd ordered from Arianna.

Fifteen minutes later, he stood in the little kitchenette covered in tomato sauce and self-doubt. The scent of spices filled the air, but they didn't quite smell like the Italian restaurant Jessa had taken him to. He ran over the instructions again on the packaged noodle box, which were as unclear as the last time he'd read them.

He voice-texted Arianna, "Help!"

Arianna came through the door a few moments later, regarded the room with a critical eye, and sighed. "I normally prefer to experiment while cooking, but something like lasagna needs a recipe designed for an inexperienced cook if you haven't been cooking long."

Bel handed her the box.

Her eyes moved back and forth as she read. "Sorry. I should've bought another brand. These instructions are crap." She reached into her oversized handbag and placed a tablet computer on the cabinet. "Okay, you have the tomato sauce and spices mixed. Where are you having problems?"

Bel handed her a box of noodles. "They don't bend. The ones at the restaurant would bend."

Arianna donned a patient smile, though Bel suspected she barely resisted rolling her eyes. "Like I said, the instructions are crap. They don't even say you're supposed to boil the noodles before you try to layer them unless they're the kind that doesn't need precooking—which these aren't. Get your biggest pot, fill it with water, and place it on a burner set to ‘high' until it boils."

Bel followed her directions, but he didn't look at the computer.

"All you have to do is read the recipe," she urged, prodding the computer his way with a fingertip.

Bel could no longer put off the confession he'd hoped to never need to make. "I can't. The letters keep moving around. I never had that problem in Domus." He'd not had to do much reading here. Farren explained everything he signed, and menus came with pictures.

"Hmmm…" Arianna tapped her foot while rubbing her chin. "We can heal many human illnesses, but not everything. I've heard of humans having such a problem, but never a traveler. It's possible your host had the issue, and your energy either can't correct it or doesn't see it as medically necessary. Interesting. I'll have to tell Farren about this. But all the reading skills in the world wouldn't help if you don't have a decent recipe."

"What can I do?" Would this problem affect the job Farren promised? Would Bel and Lio have to find another way to survive? He'd avoided mention of the issue before by merely pointing to menu items to order what he wanted.

Arianna touched a few buttons on her computer. A robotic voice began reading the instructions. "If you need to go back, put the cursor here and drag it." She showed him how to restart the dialog.

Well, that didn't seem too bad. "Thanks, Arianna."

"Don't worry about it, and don't worry about Farren. We can discuss this with him, but it won't change anything. You're ours if you want to be, and maybe a qualified Nutrix could help." She winked. "You might know one. Think you got it from here?"

Bel nodded, but he still wasn't too sure.

"You can keep the tablet until tomorrow." Arianna reached into the bag again and pulled out a bottle of wine. "This will go great with the lasagna." She pulled out another package. "Garlic bread. Don't hesitate to call me again if you need to."

She swept out of the room and closed the door behind her. Bel played with the tablet while waiting for the water to boil, backing up the cursor for the device to reread the recipe. This was much more convenient, especially since he didn't want to make small talk with Arianna while he cooked. This was his special gift to Lio. Everything had to be perfect.

Eventually, he'd need to reveal his physical connection with Lio to the others, but for now, he wanted to keep the knowledge to himself, especially since they hadn't discussed the matter afterward.

He added the noodles the moment the water boiled, per the recipe's instructions, and busied himself preparing a salad, trying to duplicate the meal the young couple enjoyed in the movie, but without an energetic dog nearly knocking the table over.

Dinner came together slowly but surely. The noodles softened, and he layered them with sauce, cheese, and mushrooms in a glass pan. When he was done, he slid the pan into the oven and set a timer.

While the lasagna baked, he read the instructions on the cake mix—though it took time—mixed everything together, and inserted it into the oven beside the lasagna. Lio would like chocolate, wouldn't he?

Now to get dressed. What should he wear? Bel should have consulted Arianna before she left, but it was too late now. He turned his thoughts inward, but Kevin's ghost remained silent.

He wound up in a polo shirt and jeans from his shopping trip, complete with sheer boxers he didn't remember picking out.

By the time a knock came at his door, he'd dressed, set out dishes at the kitchen bar, and nearly paced a hole in the carpet. The cake and lasagna both sat cooling on the counter. "Come in!" Should he pose? Try to look casual?

All thoughts of what to do vanished when Lio opened the door and stepped into the room; his hair slicked back into waves, still wet from the shower. He'd also dressed in his new clothes: jeans, a red T-shirt, and sneakers. Red was definitely his color.

All words refused to come out of Bel's suddenly dry mouth.

"Something smells good," Lio remarked, striding the few paces through the living area to reach Bel.

"I made lasagna. And cake."

Lio leaned in and sniffed. "I was talking about you, but yeah, lasagna and cake are good, too."

Much more sweet talk might derail Bel's plans—or accelerate them. Did Lio remember wanting someone to cook for him? "I've got everything ready but frosting the cake. Have a seat."

Too bad the tiny space didn't have room for a proper dining table. Instead, Bel and Lio sat side by side at the kitchen bar. While Lio settled onto a stool, Bel poured them each a glass of wine.

He served the salad, lasagna, and bread, but regardless of how much his belly had rumbled while cooking, he couldn't take his eyes off Lio long enough to concentrate on the meal.

Lio stared back, a shy smile on his lips. "What?" He took a sip of wine.

Each motion kept Bel mesmerized as Lio's lips connected with the glass rim, parted, and then his throat bobbed as he swallowed. Damn, but he was gorgeous, and not merely for his looks. Something deep in Bel's psyche recognized something soul deep in Lio that it wanted… no, needed, like air. Was this the attraction of light and darkness? The bond trying to form?

Bel took the glass from Lio's unresisting fingers and placed it on the counter, maintaining eye contact, unable to look away. He cradled Lio's face with his hands, feeling a hint of scruff against his palms, and leaned in, gently brushing their lips together.

Lio moaned and cupped the back of Bel's head so he could pull Bel in for a more thorough kiss. He retreated enough to say, "Would it be rude to suggest we eat later?"

"Not at all." Bel resumed the kiss, feasting on Lio's mouth. That something deep inside tried to join them more closely, demanding deeper intimacy. He rose, locked the door, returned to the bar, and took Lio's hand.

Lio placed his hand in Bel's and rose gracefully, allowing himself to be led to a bed scarcely large enough for the two of them. They'd make do.

Bel ran his lips over Lio's eyelids while rolling up his T-shirt, working his way down Lio's nose and to his lips. He paused the kiss to lift the shirt over Lio's head and drop it to the floor. What a beautiful body.

Anger flared when he saw the many scars marring Lio's skin, but he couldn't do anything about those who'd hurt Lio, at least not now. What he could do was drop to his knees beside the bed, running his tongue along the healed injuries while fumbling with Lio's belt and jeans. He buried his face in Lio's groin as soon as he'd unzipped the fly, breathing in the enticing scent of him. He skimmed jeans and briefs down Lio's legs and helped him balance so Lio could kick off his shoes and step away from his clothes, which Bel added to the discarded T-shirt.

Lio's cock stood fully erect, a drop of pre-cum at the slit. Bel licked the offering away and enveloped the swollen cockhead with his lips, moaning around his mouthful. He experimented, taking as much as he dared, and attempted more on the next downward movement, testing where his gag reflexes demanded he stop.

Lio moaned in response, burying his fingers in Bel's hair and holding on to keep his balance as he swayed under the onslaught of Bel's attention. "Damn, that is so good."

Every throaty sound from Lio's mouth stoked Bel's libido higher. Knowing he was the one causing those erotic sounds made his cock so hard that he couldn't help stroking a hand up his straining erection.

He was never going to last if he kept this up. It took all his willpower to release Lio's cock and stand, but one look at the heat in Lio's eyes made him want to fall to his knees again. Time enough for that later. He crashed his mouth onto Lio's, plundering, conquering, leaving no question about how much he wanted this man. Like before, it took willpower to step away.

Lio wrapped his arms around Bel, matching the fierceness of the kiss until they were forced apart to breathe.

"Lie on the bed," Bel ordered, barely recognizing the gruffness in his voice. He pulled his shirt over his head, putting on a bit of a show when he noticed the intensity in Lio's dark eyes. He'd never even dreamed of anyone gazing at him with such appreciation. In Lio's eyes, he was beautiful. No one else's opinion mattered.

Bel stepped out of his shoes and peeled his jeans down, showing off the sexy underwear, hints of skin visible through the see-through fabric.

"Damn, that's hot." Lio descended to the floor, warming Bel's cock with his mouth through the scanty underwear.

Bel let out a moan, wholeheartedly agreeing. Yes, yes, yes! He balled his hands into fists, legs shaking. Had he ever felt anything so good? Wait! Too good. Pressure began deep within. At this rate, he'd never last.

He grabbed Lio's shoulders and eased him onto his back on the bed while taking a moment to calm himself. He'd almost come before they'd really gotten started. Bel removed the underwear and straddled Lio's slender hips. "You are so beautiful," he said, voice as reverent as he'd hoped. "I want you."

He supported his weight on his arms as he lowered himself down and kissed Lio, reveling in the slide of tongue against tongue. Lio stroked his hands down Bel's arms, bucking up, seeking friction.

"Can I fuck you?" Bel paused the kiss long enough to ask. "I mean with my dick inside your…" He broke off, his face growing hot. He hadn't meant to blurt out the words so abruptly, but they were out there now.

Lio's "I'll hold it against you forever if you don't" wiped away the fears that Bel said the wrong thing.

A smile bloomed on his face. "Well, in that case…"

Memories came back of some baser conversations among Bel's fellow roustabouts. He reached into the nightstand for other items he'd found in his shopping bag and retrieved lube and a condom since he wasn't quite sure what human diseases a traveler could cure. Besides, this was what humans did, right?

Lio placed his hands over Bel's to stop the trembling. A wave of affection rolled through their connection.

Bel smiled when Lio let go, but his hands still trembled a bit as he unrolled the latex down his shaft. In a few moments, he'd be inside Lio, connected so intimately…

Color flooded Lio's cheeks as Bel lubed his fingers and sought Lio's entrance. "I took care of that before leaving my room. I… I've been reading things on the internet and delving into any of my host's memories that might help. I want… I want this to be good."

Several deep breaths saved Bel from embarrassment as the words conjured images of Lio preparing himself. So fucking hot. "Well, aren't you the resourceful one?" Bel slicked the lube down his covered shaft. "I've wanted to do this for so long. It doesn't matter if we have to fumble our way with instincts and imprecise memories. We'll fumble together."

"Then do it." Lio wrapped his fingers around the headboard's spindles and spread his legs for Bel to settle in between.

Bel shifted into the position he'd fantasized about so many times. He lined up, pausing for a moment to enjoy the anticipation before sinking in a fraction. Oh, that was tight. Too tight? "Am I hurting you?" Please let the answer be no. It would take every bit of Bel's self-control to retreat now.

"I'm okay," Lio grunted, though he didn't sound too sure.

Bel froze. "Do you need more time? I'm not going to hurt you."

The tension left Lio's body, and he winked. "Really, I'm fine." He pushed back, seating Bel further.

Bel withdrew and eased in a bit deeper. For all Lio's preparations, he still didn't want to hurt the man, and regardless of the host's experience, this was Lio's only first-hand sexual experience.

Bel's, too, as a human, except for a mutual masturbation session. He connected his mouth to Lio's, trying to keep the contact sweet and light and failing miserably. He plundered, barely keeping his hips relatively still, relieved at the answering energy Lio poured into the kiss.

"You won't hurt me," Lio said on a whine.

"No, I won't. Not willingly. But you've got to let me know if anything doesn't feel right." Making slow, shallow thrusts, deepening each time, allowed Bel to work his way into Lio's body while paying careful attention to any cues that might mean discomfort.

He stopped at Lio's gasp, panic twisting his guts. "Are you okay?"

Lio's voice came out breathless, and a beatific smile eased Bel's fears. "It's better than I ever imagined." He lifted his hips, drawing groans from them both. Bel took Lio at his word and increased the pace, Lio's moans guiding him to what felt good.

Groans and panted breaths mingled with the occasional bed squeak, keeping cadence with their loving. It was better than any fantasy, feeling Lio's body wrapped around Bel's shaft. He balanced his weight on his arms, hands planted on either side of Lio's head.

The sensations were almost too much to bear: the pressure in his groin, urging him to plunge faster, harder, seek his release, while his mind told him to go slow, make this good for them both. And then there was the fullness in his chest, the overwhelming love he felt for this man.

"I'm going to cum," slipped from Bel's lips before he even registered the truth of the words.

"Do it." Lio wrapped his legs over Bel's thighs, frantically jerking himself in time with Bel's thrusts.

Every muscle seized. Bel cried out, releasing pulse after pulse into the condom, and at the same time, Lio went still, moaning long and low, hand stopping as he came between their bodies.

Images appeared in Bel's mind: the look on his own face, the warm feelings when he gazed down at Lio, though seen from Lio's point of view. His own thoughts muddled with those that must come from Lio, a montage of their moments together. Where did Bel end and Lio begin?

He gazed down at Lio's dazed expression, which suddenly morphed into a grin that filled Bel's soul. One perfect moment in time.

"That was… fantastic," Lio said with a breathy laugh.

Bel couldn't agree more.